Lynn softball 14s drop tourney opener to N.H. Wave

ROCHESTER, N.H. – The Lynn 14U Babe Ruth softball team opened its quest for a New England championship with a tough 4-2 loss to the New Hampshire Wave, the team representing the northern part of the state.?From everything we heard,” said manager Jim Giguere, “they were considered the best team in the tournament. We played them tough, and I?m proud of the way we played.”Giguere said the loss was a heartbreaker because of a call that went against his team in the top of the sixth inning that could have affected the outcome.Taylor Piazza opened the inning by trying to bunt her way on, and she only appeared to have beaten the throw to first, but went to third on an error.?But,” said Giguere, “the first base umpire ruled that the ball hit her in the box, and it was taken away.?I didn?t think it did,” he said, “and a lot of other people I talked to said they didn?t think it did either.”Giguere said the home plate umpire did not see the play and couldn?t offer much help in either confirming the call or overruling it.At the time, the score was 3-2, Wave, and two of Giguere?s players got hits that would have driven Piazza in and tied the game, he said.Lynn jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. With two out, Lynn got three straight singles by Donna Caulder, Emily Stevenson (who went to second on a throwing error that also allowed Caulder to score) and Jillian Gentile.The Wave tied it up in the second on a two-run double, took the lead in the third and went ahead 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning.Caulder went the distance.?She threw a great game,” Giguere said, adding that she struck out six in seven innings.